Seal cap and dispensing nozzle for tubes or bottles



July 27, 1954 H T 2,684,789

SEAL CAP AND DISPENSING NOZZLE FOR TUBES OR BOTTLES Filed Nov. 24. 1950 IN V EN TOR.

P06 A. Narcbom ATTORNEYS Patented July 27, 1954 SEAL CAP AND DISPENSING NOZZLE FOR TUBES R BOTTLES Paul A. Marchant, Jackson County, Mo., assignor to Injection Molding Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application November 24, 1950, Serial No. 197,348

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a seal cap and dispensing nozzle for tubes or bottles such as used for containing liquids and pastes that are applied in drops or small portions.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a leak-proof closure of the nozzle to prevent loss of the contents of such containers, particularly when the bottles are made of resilient material and are capable of being squeezed to expel the contents.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure which prevents discharge of the contents of a bottle into the closure cap when the closure cap is in place.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bottle equipped with a dispensing nozzle and closure cap embodying the features of the present invention, the closure cap being shown removed and in spaced relation with the nozzle and a part of the cap broken away to better illustrate the construction thereof.

Fig. 2 is a section through the upper portion of the container and nozzle with the closure cap removed.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the container with the upper portion in section, particularly illustrating the manner of dispensing the contents.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the container with the closure cap removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the closure cap in position on the neck of the container and engaging the dispensing nozzle to prevent loss of the contents of the container.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a bottle or similar container that is preferably formed of resilient material such as a synthetic plastic whereby the sides of the container may be pressed toward each other to create interior pressure for expelling the contents through a nozzle 2 that is applied to the neck 3 of the container. The nozzle 2 forms a part of the present invention and is formed of a resilient plastic material so as to provide selfclosure of the outlet orifice when the pressure on the bottle is released. The nozzle 2 includes a substantially cylindrical portion 4 having a diameter to be tightly engaged within the inner opening 5 of the neck 3 in the manner of a cork.

Extending circumferentially of the nozzle above the portion 4 is a flange 6 forming a shoulder l for engaging the annular face 8 on the neck 3 as best shown in Fig. 2. The dispensing portion 9 of the nozzle projects somewhat in the form of a cone and has a rounded apical portion iii. The side I! of the cone is preferably curved outwardly from the apical portion IE1 toward the flange 6 as shown in Fig. 2 Extending across the apical portion of the nozzle is a slit-like orifice l2 which is normally retained closed by the inherent resiliency of the material from which the nozzle is constructed. The lip portions 13 and it at the opposite sides of the slit are readily moved apart when pressure is applied within the container by pressing on the sides of the bottle. The inner contour of the nozzle tapers within the conical portion to provide a relatively thin wall at the point of the slit-like orifice.

Ordinarily when such containers are carried in luggage or become accidentally crushed or wedged, pressure is sufiicient to cause opening of the orifice and spilling of the contents. To avoid this diiiiculty, the invention also contemplates a cap I 5 having a skirt portion it of suitable diam eter to be snugly engaged over the neck 3. The exterior of the portion of the cap is preferably knurled, fluted or otherwise formed to facilitate gripping thereby with the fingers when the cap is to be removed from the neck of the bottle. The bottom edge ll of the cap preferably seats upon a stop shoulder [8 that is formed about the neck of the container as shown.

The skirt portion of the cap is of sufficient height to carry the top wall It of the cap slight- 1y above the apical portion of the nozzle when the edge I! is seated on the stop shoulder 18. Formed on the inner side of the top wall Id of the cap is a boss [9 having an outer diameter larger than the apical portion of the nozzle, as shown in Fig. 5, to accommodate a socket or cavity portion 20 having sides tapered as at 2! and a bottom rounded as at 22, therefore when the cap is in place, the socket portion closely embraces and presses the lips of the orifice together and cooperates with the inherent resiliency of the nozzle to securely close the orifice and prevent expulsion of the contents of the container. The cap also keeps the nozzle in sanitary condition since it completely covers the nozzle and neck of the container.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that I have provided a closure cap and dispensing nozzle for containers of the type described and which prevents entrance of dust and similar contamination into the dispensing orifice of the nozzle, and whereby the orifice of the nozzle is efiectively closed when the cap is applied. It is also obvious that the direct contact between the apical and conical portions 'of the nozzle with the corre sponding portions in the socket of the cap retain opposite edges of the slit in contact when the cap is in position on the neck of the container so that the edges of the slit maintain their contact when pressure is accidentally applied to the walls of the container.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a container having a resilient wall portion and a dispensing neck, a hollow and resilient dispensing nozzle having a substantially conical wall portion and an apical portion provided with a transverse slit extending into the wall portion with edges of the slit in contact to form a selfclosing orifice by reason of the resilient character of the dispensing nozzle, 2. cap separate from the nozzle and having a skirt portion in sleeved relation with said neck of the container and having a top integral with the skirt portion, said top having a conical socket with the conical inner surface extending about the apical portion and in direct contact with the exterior of the conical wall portion of the nozzle and exerting pressure on opposite sides of the slit to retain said edges of the slit in contact when the cap is in position on said neck and when pressure is applied to the wall of the container tending to spread said edges of the slit apart.

2. In a container having a resilient wall portion and a dispensing neck having an annular stop shoulder, a hollow and resilient dispensing nozzle having an annular substantially conical wall portion and an apical portion provided with a transverse slit extending into the wall portion with edges of the slit in contact to form a selfclosing orifice by reason of the resilient character of the dispensing nozzle, a cap separate from the nozzle and having a skirt portion in sleeved relation with said neck of the container and having a top integral with the skirt portion, said skirt of the cap being in stopped engagement with said shoulder, said top having a com cal socket with the conical inner surface extending about the apical portion and in direct contact with the exterior of the conical wall portion of the nozzle and exerting pressure on opposite sides of the slit to retain said edges of the slit in contact when the cap is in position on said neck with the skirt engaging said shoulder and when pressure is applied to the wall of the container tending to spread said edges of the slit apart.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 572,079 Trescott Nov. 24, 1896 1,825,553 Smith Sept. 29, 1931 1,989,714 Statham Feb. 5,1935 1,996,156 Janssen Apr. 2, 1935 2,098,751 Lermer Nov. 9, 1937 2,259,992 Binon Oct. 21, 1941 2,571,010 Busch Oct. 9, 1951 2,605,026 Wagner July 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 470,101 Great Britain Aug. 5, 1937 

